21 March 1782

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, to Brigadier General Knox. Letter expresses the touchiness Revolutionary officers had about rank. Says no word on Knox's promotion is to be had. Hopes "The period, however, cannot be remote when Congress must decide - and either do you justice or dispense with your further services." Goes on to express dismay at Knox not receiving the promotion. References the letter he sent on 5 March as well as another he sent a week earlier. Says since his 5 March letter he has been able to reach a settlement with Massachusetts for his pay for 1780.…

GLC02437.01370

5 June 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter from William Knox and expresses the wish to see him in New York. Also asks Henry Knox if he could give "information when the British are to [leave] the City [New York] ... " Sears & Smith refers to the merchant company owned by partners Isaac Smith and his son-in-law, Paschal N. Smith.

GLC02437.02147

3 July 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter written by a representative of Sears & Smith to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter to Isaac Sears of 24 June. Says the jewelry that Henry's brother William Knox sent has not been sold. When they opened up the box they discovered the articles were pieces they would have a hard time selling in their store. Ended up giving them to Joseph Peirce to dispose of, as they thought he could sell them more readily. He has had no success though. If he wants them auctioned off, they will arrange for it. Says the items are "old, odd, unsaleable." William wrote that he took the jewelry…

GLC02437.02229

13 August 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a letter, along with a trunk and "one small Bundle of Merchandize [sic] for you" from his brother William. States that all three of his shipments have arrived, "to the amount of £1000 Sterling" and that they will try their best to sell the goods for the highest profit. Mrs. Sears and Mrs. Smith both send their compliments to Knox and his family.

GLC02437.02384

27 August 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sears & Smith

Replies to a previous letter and asks Sears and Smith to hold onto some items that his brother William had sent him via the firm. Discusses the British evacuating New York. Says New York will probably be evacuated by 20 October but not much earlier. Sends them both his and his family's compliments.

GLC02437.02427

22 September 1783

Sears & Smith, fl. 1775-1785

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that they will keep the trunks of merchandise with them until they see Knox again. Mr. Sears will leave for New York as soon as the British evacuate so "he may enter the City soon after Civil government is established there..." Apologizes for having trouble selling the wares that William Knox, Henry Knox's brother, had entrusted to them.

GLC02437.02554

7 January 1784

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Sears, George Clinton, Samuel Broome, and Robert Livingston

Knox writes to Colonel Sears, Chancellor Livingston, Governor Clinton, and Broome, a merchant and bookseller. Recommends Colonel Stevens, possibly Ebenezer Stevens, to the recipients' acquaintance. Relates that Stevens will be taking up residence in New York City to work as "a dealer in lumber of all sorts, and probably to construct, for buildings of various kinds."

GLC02437.02924

8 August 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Shaw, Knox's former aide-de-camp, writes a friendly letter to discuss a variety of matters. First, he forwards "Mr. Gardiner's oration on the anniversary of independence. If you can travel through so much various matter as it is composed of, it will be a strong proof of your perseverance." References a letter he sent Knox on 1 August, saying that it was "written in the bitterness of my soul, and what is worse, a bitterness which still continues"; he is having problems settling his father's estate, and is resigned that the outcome will not benefit himself or any of his siblings. Relates some…

GLC02437.03174

9 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates that per Knox's instructions, he has gone to New Haven and met with Mr. [Samuel] Broome and Mr. [Jeremiah] Platt to discuss their outstanding financial business. Explains that Broom and Platt assured him they will not be able to repay the money they owe in the next year. Provides a lengthy and detailed explanation of the firm's financial dealings, including the ways the war interfered with their business. Adds some information about the money they owe to the firm of [James] Webber & Co. Relates possible solutions to the problem.

GLC02437.03190

16 September 1785

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to explain the status of their dealings with the firm of Broome & Platt, with whom they are trying to settle a debt. Relates that Broome and Platt acknowledge the amount of money they still owe Webber & Co. of London (on whose behalf Knox is settling this debt), but will be unable to agree to the conditions requested by Knox. Describes a story the firm told him about their debt to Ludlow Gold of New York, which they also cannot pay, as evidence of the serious financial trouble their firm is in. Shaw also mentions that upon receiving the goods owed to him and Knox, he noticed…

GLC02437.03195

27 December 1787

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is leaving the ship, Columbia, which is making the trip back to the United States and mentions that "[m]y affairs require my being at Canton this evening, which prevents me from going down the river to meet the new comers - " Noted as written in "Wampo, 17 miles from Canton."

GLC02437.03743

20 May 1789

Senf, Charles, ?-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from "Rocky Mount," South Carolina. Declares that several letters he wrote to Knox did not arrive safely, so he is sending another and hopes Knox will receive it. Has enclosed a copy of his proposition (a plan regarding inland navigation and communications in South Carolina, GLC02437.04228) and is sure the government will look favorably on it. Hopes that Knox can promote the project to his friends. Also offers to provide Knox with any news or information about the Southern states should he have questions.

GLC02437.04212

May 1789

Senf, Charles, ?-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: Copy of a letter to his Excellency the President General of the United States

Date and location (Rocky Mount, South Carolina) added later in red pen. Charles Senf, Engineer of the State of South Carolina, presents a plan regarding inland navigation and communications. His plan focuses on the sea coast from New York State to Eastern Florida. Would like to make travel easier. Outlines the costs of his plan, and the surveys he would need to undertake to accomplish his goals. Originally with GLC02437.04212.

GLC02437.04228

8 December 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Shaw relates that three men have asked him to recommend them for the same office (Collector of Customs for Rhode Island). Shaw also knows of a fourth man applying for the position who did not ask for a recommendation. Of the four men, (Colonel Henry Sherburne, Major Lyman, Colonel Peck and Colonel Olney), Shaw gives Colonel Peck the highest recommendation.

GLC02437.04429

20 December 1789

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for everything has done for him and writes, "While I feel the full force of the most lively gratitude for your friendship towards me, it pains me to know that the too tender concern you take in everything which regards your poor Shaw cannot but interrupt that happiness you deserve ever to enjoy, and which with my whole soul I wish you. On this account, it aggravates my present unhappiness to inform you, that nothing could be done in the way we wished - and that I must get my ship ready and proceed, with my present means alone, as fast as possible to Batavia and China." Adds that…

GLC02437.04445

February 14, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for Knox's advice in dealing with his situation with a Mr. Holker and Mr. Parker, most likely Daniel Parker, the captain of the ship Shaw took to Guangzhou, China. Writes "I desire to be governed entirely by you ... " and that "Mr. Parker and his agent, which has occasioned such trouble an inconvenience to my friends, that I can no longer for observing any measurs [sic] with him, but what the most rigid justice demands; and I shall be perfectly satisfied with any mode you shall be please to adopt for prosecuting the business."

GLC02437.04512

February 21, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for helping him in renewing his post as consul at Canton, China and prepares to set sail again. Writes that "[m]y prospects in the Eastern hemisphere are not flattering, to be sure - but the empire of Chance is a wide one - and who knows what may turn up."

GLC02437.04517

7 March 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses his business with [Samuel] Parkman and Messrs [Nicholas] Hoffman and [Son], noting it will soon be settled. Informs Knox he will be sailing in the near future, thanks to Parkman. Writes that "[l]anguage is insufficient to express how much I love you both - Tell Billy that he occupies a brothers place in my heart."

GLC02437.04532

January 17, 1790

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for his "favor of the 16th [of January]" and for his "communications respecting Messieurs Pintards proposals." Informs Knox, due to the advanced season it would be impossible for him to "deviate from the direct and speediest route to China" and therefore he could not avail himself of their proposal. Discusses business affairs with associates. Encloses a letter (not included) from Samuel Newman, whom Shaw wishes to have a military appointment. The letter is dated 1790, but based on the content and letters exchanged regarding the same issues it is likely it was 1791.

GLC02437.04832

4 June 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comfort Sands

Informs Sands, a previous supplier of military goods [see GLC02437.01301], that a "few barrells of neats foot oyl are wanted for the musquets & cartridge boxes of the Army," and he wants to know whether Sands can supply them, and what the terms might be.

GLC02437.01439

20 August 1787

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends his condolences over the recent death of Knox's baby. Discusses his visit with Jeremiah Wadsworth and an upcoming voyage to China. Notes a 500 ton ship is supposedly being built for the China trade and Sargent believes it would be "not impossible if we could engage Wadsworth heartily in the Business..." (See GLC02437.03637 for Wadsworth's views on the voyage). Describes the business in further details, including the different parties involved and possible funding for the voyage. Stamped "Boston." See GLC02437.03644, GLC02437.03647, and GLC02437.03652 for related documents.

GLC02437.03638

8 August 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Winthrop Sargent

Later copy. Briefly mentions a number of topics, including the French Revolution and the government situation with the Eastern Territory.

GLC02437.05573

2 July 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Smith, Son & Smith

Informs Smith, Son, & Smith, a merchant firm (possibly from Birmingham, England) that the wares they consigned to him have arrived. Notes that the goods are in the care of Henry Jackson, who will keep them until they can be sold without incurring a loss. Writes, "...it is probable that they must be sold at a credit as money is uncommonly scarce."

GLC02437.03164

7 April 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to William Smith, Isaiah Thomas, William Hull

Knox sends to Smith by the bearer "Mr. John Hills" a letter asking Smith if he could help Knox find a surveyor who could help him "ascertain [the] practicability" of building a canal that would "open an inland navigation from Connecticut River to Boston." Hills is also sent to survey that possibility as well. Knox acknowledges that the idea might be "entirely utopian" but it is worth exploring more, for it would offer "immense public advantages." Marked as a copy in the docket.

GLC02437.04909

8 October 1792

Sterrett, Rebbeca, 1771-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox for his assistance in obtaining an appointment for her husband, Mr. Samuel Sterett, in the office of Collector for the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Explains and apologizes that her husband cannot ask personally. States that should he receive this appointment, he will resign as a member of Congress. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05648